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 10 Reasons Why FieldTurf
And Its MonoGrass System Should be Selected
In the last few years, FieldTurf has focused on new products that have all the best attributes of traditional PE slit film yarns, with the added durability that is only possible with the monofilament production process. FieldTurf's efforts have resulted in a patented fiber unavailable to any other company.
FieldTurf's new "DuraSpine" MONOFILAMENT fiber offers INCREASED PRODUCT LIFE. Comparative wear testing shows a wide gap in wear resistance between standard, proven slit film fibers (including FieldTurf's own slit film, which has a proven 8-10 year life cycle) and this new generation of "true" monofilament. Although at this point it is impossible to correlate this additional toughness to a set period of extended product life, the fact remains that the new FieldTurf system will last longer.
And the longer a product lasts, the more economical it is from a life cycle standpoint! Buying FieldTurf with the new MONOFILAMENT, regardless of initial price, is a BETTER VALUE.
This added longevity will actually allow the District to amortize the life of the field on a 10+ year basis rather than the 8+ year life expectancy. This represents a much greater return on investment than the older slit film products currently being installed by most companies in the market. FieldTurf has in place over 40 MONOFILAMENT applications in North America, including fields at the NCAA Division I level. No other company has this kind of fiber or such proven fields in place.
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FieldTurf's new-generation monofilament system is the closest thing yet to a grass-like surface.
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The fibers have excellent "memory" so they remain looking like new grass-erect fibers, not a matted carpet.
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The erect fibers offer "resistance" to soccer balls, making the system more grass-like-the ball rolls and plays exactly like it does on grass according to FIFA testing--and thus is more useful for soccer players.
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The fibers, though more durable, are quite soft, which will virtually eliminate skin abrasions.
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FieldTurf owns and operates its own manufacturing plant. It inspects all aspects of the product from fiber to finishing.
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FieldTurf has its own in-house laboratory dedicated to Quality Control testing of manufactured goods as well as product development efforts.
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FieldTurf has its own network of Certified Installation teams. These teams must utilize FieldTurf approved equipment and installation techniques. A FieldTurf representative inspects and certifies each installation prior to issuing its Warranty.
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FieldTurf itself orders and ships all components-especially sand and rubber, so all installations are the same in terms of product components and formulations.
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4. PATENTED INFILL SYSTEM
The key to FieldTurf's past success is not necessarily related to the fiber it uses, although this is an important part of the system. Rather, the key innovation FieldTurf brought to the industry was its unique, patented infill system.
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The turf system infill is the same as FieldTurf has always used, which has been studied for safety vs. grass over a long period of time, with proven safety results. This system has been chosen and praised by elite players in the NFL (Colts, Raiders, Vikings, Chiefs, Titans, Texans, Broncos, Seahawks, Patriots, Lions, Chargers, Jets, Giants, Saints, Jaguars, Browns, Bengals and Falcons); many elite soccer clubs worldwide; elite baseball programs, including Pro and NCAA Div I; and Division I football teams (Rutgers, UConn, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, Southern Cal, Boston College, Wisconsin, TCU, Louisville, Kansas State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Duke, Marshall, Florida, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc)
INFILL WEIGHT AND MASS
Most systems offer only 3 lbs of rubber per square foot. FieldTurf offers 3 pounds of rubber per square foot AND over 6 pounds of sand per square foot. This accounts for FieldTurf's "grass-like" feel and play, safety and durability.
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The extra fill provides additional shock absorbency (G-max).
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The extra weight provides additional "stability" to the fill-it stays in suspension, does not migrate like lightweight fills.
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The extra mass prevents the fibers from "laying over". Fibers that lay over are exposed to more wear and sunlight exposure, which lowers product durability.
INFILL DESIGN
FieldTurf uses a patented mixture of cryogenic rubber and silica sand.
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Cryo rubber is cleaner and more uniform in size
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FieldTurf's rubber and sand are similarly shaped, so they do not segregate in use
The triple layer of infill--sand on the bottom, sand/rubber mix in the middle, and a pure layer of rubber on tip-is patented.
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Increases drainage
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Increases shock absorbency
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Provides a solid, grass-like "artificial earth" for proper bio-mechanics and safety
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Provides grass-like ENERGY RESTITUTION, so players do not tire or adjust their running/playing styles
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Grass-like ball bounce and roll
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The #1 maintenance problem associated with synthetic fields is that of LOOSE (UNGLUED) TURF SEAMS! Although glued seams are less expensive and easier-requiring no special equipment or expertise--sewing seams is the ONLY way to assure a trouble-free seam. FieldTurf's turf panel seams are sewn with a double lock stitch and FieldTurf has a proven record for fields without seams problems.
All turf companies offer drainage through the turf fabric by means of BURNED HOLES. FieldTurf does not burn holes in its fabric, which not only damages the fibers but provides a very low ratio of permeability to impermeability in the backing. Rather, FieldTurf leaves areas of backing between the fiber tufts uncoated, creating a high percentage of naturally porous material for enhanced drainage. Burned holes have other drawbacks-they can clog over time, they are hard to burn in a uniform pattern or size, and they allow sand and rubber to flow out of the system and into the sub-base and storm drainage system.
FieldTurf offers customers the long-term comfort of third party protection for its investment. The warranty is backed by an insurance policy that is underwritten by an "A+" Best Rated insurance carrier, Chubb Insurance Company. The policy cannot be canceled and is pre-paid. Should FieldTurf not be able to honor its warranty, the District can make a claim on the policy itself. Other companies may claim to have such an instrument, but thus far no other complete policy has been shown to customers and confirmed to be in effect and non-cancellable.
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FieldTurf does not install its permanent markings like other companies. Traditionally, companies install the turf, and then cut it open so it can insert seaming tape, glued pieces of turf and the fill. FieldTurf does not cut the backing of the turf when it installs a permanent marking, such as a hash mark or numeral. Rather, it SHAVES out the fiber to the backing "nubs", leaving the backing undamaged. Then it uses special "hot melt" machines to place a layer of hot glue on the backing, which actually melts the existing fiber "nubs". A new piece of colored turf is pressed into this super hot adhesive (the turf is slightly shorter in pile height to account for the extra backing). Once the glue cools, the marking is set and permanent. No curing time, sand bags or concrete blocks. This preserves the structural integrity of the field because the backing is not cut while minimizing maintenance issues.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
FieldTurf has in place the best customer service department in the industry. Needed repairs can usually occur within 48 hours and even less in emergency situations. The company offers a hot line for service and offers a full range of after care products, such as paints, paint removers, gum remover, disinfectants, cleaning agents etc. FieldTurf has developed or approved several machines for maintaining and painting fields. It offers special groomers. In addition, FieldTurf has local representatives, Perry DiPiazza in New Jersey, Jim Shanahan in Philadelphia, and Ken Schroy on Long Island, who are charged with monitoring the field for quality and maintenance. Finally, FieldTurf has purchased and has available special grooming equipment, made in Europe specifically for "filled" turf systems that can be offered to deep groom re-level and vacuum older, heavily used FieldTurf fields to keep them in top shape. These machines, called Sport Champs, are expensive and highly engineered, but critical to keep fields in the best condition possible.
DESIGN DEPARTMENT
Unlike most competitors, FieldTurf has in place a complete CAD-based design department under a licensed architect with over 30 years experience. They have engineers on staff as well to review designs by other firms, to aid designers with special details and design concepts, and consultation on problems or special projects.
CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
FieldTurf has regional Contracts Managers who handle contracts from start to finish, from contracting to submittals, ordering materials and managing crews and delivery schedules, invoicing and close out. This gives clients a "single source" to go to with questions or concerns.
REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS
Unlike competitors, FieldTurf has on staff regional construction managers. These managers are charged with both overseeing the few fields FieldTurf undertakes as a General Contractor; and, most importantly, inspects the work of independent site contractors working directly for owners or General Contractors. We believe this "added service" is highly valuable as the work required to install a proper base is complicated and unusual for most site contractors. Their Construction Managers will visit sites and correspond with site contractors and owners to assure the best overall quality possible.
In an industry notorious for company bankruptcies and worthless warranties, FieldTurf stands apart. It has always been both innovative AND profitable. In 2005, FieldTurf merged with the largest company in the industry, Tarkett Sports, forming a new sports surfacing division, headquartered in North America for world-wide business. FieldTurf Tarkett Sports, owned by major FieldTurf investors and Tarkett Industries, a publicly traded international company with sales in the billions, is the largest sports surfacing company in the industry with sales exceeding $250 million annually. This kind of financial strength is second to none and assures customers that purchase FieldTurf that he company is financially stable, fully capable of performing and in business for the long term.
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